Cats Peeing Over Edge Of Litter Box : Why And How To Stop It?

Introduction

Managing a pet in your house sometimes becomes tedious. First, you need to understand the behavioral pattern of your pet. You must understand their likes and dislikes because your pet does not like the way you treat them.

They can start making your life a mess. Cats, in particular, are a curious type of animal. No matter how much you train them, they will start their tantrums if they feel irritated.

The toilet habits of cats are quite different from the other pets, especially dogs. So, even if you train them to pee in the litter box, they might make a mess of it purposely.  

There are several reasons why your cat is peeing over the edge of the litter box. 

The size of the litter box

You may not nao, but cats are susceptible to their toilet habits. The litter box that you have provided to your cat may be too small. It is due to the size that your cat peeing over edge of litter box.  

It is simple, the size of your cat is not in proportion to the litter box. So even if it has the habit of doing its business in the litter box, it cannot control the mess as the litter box is comparatively tiny. So, the pee will be all over the litter box, including its sides.

Hence, you must ensure that the litter box is kept at the right place according to your cat’s liking and is of the correct size.  

The litter does not suit your cat

Cats create a lot of fuss if things do not go their way. They are most likely to pee or poo by balancing on the edge of the litter box. Hence in the process, they will tend to make a mess of the little box.

It may be that your friend does not like the litter box. So, the solution is to try different types of the litter box and check the one that suits your cat. If your cat peeing over edge of litter box stops, then you must know that your cat is happy with it. 

Clean the litter box regularly

Cats are usually clean creatures, as you will see them self-grooming throughout the day.  Hence, if you keep the litter box dirty, they will not come near it until you clean it. 

They will choose a different place to complete their usual business. It can become frustrating for you as your house will be in a mess. 

You have to clean it immediately as cat pee is very smelly and can be embarrassing if there are guests in your house.  Hence, it would help if you cleaned your cat’s litter box on a day-to-day basis.  

Creating a territory for themselves

Sometimes you may find that your cat is spraying urine outside the litter box. It is, in a way creating a territory for itself. In addition, it is a way of communicating to the other cats and kittens that it is in their vicinity and therefore be cautious before putting your paw forward.

There can be other reasons why your cat, instead of urinating in the litter box, is spraying urine outside. One of the prime reasons is when a cat conflicts with the other cats. It usually happens when you have more than one cat in your house.       

Age-old problems

With age, cats also tend to lose their flexibility. In addition, arthritis is a common problem among cats. So, if you see your cat peeing over litter box, it can be due to the problem of sitting.

They may be suffering from extreme joint pains and swollen bones. Hence they avoid risking the litter box as the bumping onto the sides can cause pain.

They tend to find a more suitable place to pee or poo where they will not suffer pain. Hence, in the process, they mess your house. So, before things get worse and smelly in your house, take precautions immediately. 

Urinary problems

With age, a lot of diseases develop, and cats are no exception. So, if you find that your cat is frequently urinating or your cat peeing over edge of litter, it can be due to some health issues. Some of the common health problems of cats are Bladder stones, cystitis and Urinary Tract Infection. 

These can cause a lot of pain when your cat urinates.  Hence, it is better that when you see your cat urinating too often, you must immediately call for medication.

Your cat is suffering from Diabetes.

Cat peeing over the edge of the litter box can become very frustrating for you, especially when you are back home after a long, tiring day. So, instead of blaming your cat, find out the exact reason. It can be due to Diabetes which may result in frequent urinating.

Sometimes the urge is so intense that your cat may not have the time to pee in the litter box, so its outside becomes messy. Moreover, if the frequency of urine is more, it means you have to clean the litter box regularly else your cat will find some other place to carry out its business. 

An injury in the paw

If you are a cat lover, you must take care of it and understand its behavioral pattern. For example, you have indeed trained your cat to use the litter box for urinating, but sometimes circumstances may not allow you to do so.

So, if you see that your cat is peeing outside the litter box, you must find out the exact reason. For example, it may be due to an injury in its paws. So, instead of going inside the tray to pee, the cat will find it more comfortable to use the edge of the litter box. Hence, your cat missing litter box may not be a purposeful act as it is not intentional.

FAQ

Q1. When does a cat pee over the edge of the litter box?

Ans:  Usually, a cat pees over the edge of the litter box when the box is small. It also practices the same method when the litter box is empty.

Q2. When does a female cat pee over the edge of the litter box?

Ans:  Female cats pee over the edge of the litter box when suffering from specific health issues. It can be an infection in their urinary tract or cystitis.

Q3. When does a cat poop next to a litter box?

Ans: Cats are sensitive animals with frequent mood changes. If they do not like placing their things in the right place, they tend to ignore them. So, if you see your cat pooping next to the litter box, it can be due to a change of place, or you have changed the location of the litter box.

Q4. Why do elderly cats pee over the edge of the litter box?

Ans: When cats grow old, they tend to have a lot of health issues, including Arthritis. It causes a lot of pain in the bones. So your cat may not get inside the litter box to pee mainly because its leg will pain more if it bumps into its sides.

Other Health Related F.A.Q

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Why Does My Cat Lay On My Chest – 5 Reasons To Know

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Conclusion

Cats are fussy animals.  So if you see that your cat is constantly peeing over the edge of the litter box, use a mat.  It will save you time from cleaning the mess constantly.  However, if you keep a cat as a pet, you must pay proper attention.